THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, MAT 11, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1181, 11 May 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, MAT 11, 1872.

We, this day, reprint in extenso the memorial adopted at the late public meeting held in Reefton in deprecation of the present administration of the South- West Gold Fields by the Nelson Provincial Government, and we commend its consideration, not only to the community within the Nelson boundary, but to all who are resident on, or interested in, any part of the West Coast of this island. It has been patent for many years that, irrespective of any such maladministration as has characterised the Nelson rule for some time past, that the divided authority existing on the Coast has been fraught with the worst consequences, and has retarded its advancement in an excessive degree. Instead of being a united section of the Colony, there have been petty jealousies, internecine qurrels, indeed, between those whose interests are in every way identical, and who, disunited, have ! possessed little real political power, and have. tjjll i recently obtained the smallest possible consideration at the hands of the Legislature. For many years to come it must be very evident that on the Gold Fields the prosperity of the territory on this Bide of tbe dividing range along the whole coast of the island must depend, and also that throughout its whole length the same sway could answer all purposes. Such being the case, one authority, as far as the management of all the Gold Fields is concerned, is imperatively needed. The Hon. the Premier, on his late trip, must have had abundant evidence of this fact, and as he is a man of keen observation and a Colonial statesman to wit, it is very clear that he will further any reformation that may be proposed to the utmost extent of his power. On complaints being made on the subject of divided jurisdiction or incompetent administration the tone of all his replies was the same and was in effect that if the inhabitants of the West Coast were discontented with things as they are, they should let their grievances be known, in a constitutional way, to the Legislature of the Colony. It is true that disjointed efforts to effect the necessary changes have been made, but up to the present time no unity has taken place between the various districts of ihe Coast in proposing any comprehensive plan whereby its- Gold Fields can be better {ruled, and at the same time be more effectually developed. We fear that such a league as would have weight is scarcely possible, but if it could be entered into and some definite agreement made on which members might indicate the course most consonant with the wishes of the whole Coast, there would be every possibility of a satisfactory change being effected before the General Assembly closes its next session. There appear to be three courses open,' viz.— the erection of the whole Coast, from the Karamea to the Otago Boundary, or even further, into a Province ; the administration of the same area by the General Government ; or the creation of some special control to be exercised over all Gold Fields. There may be others suggested, but they must all, more or less, emanate from or but of these. As to the formation of a new Province there are many and grave objections. In the first place, it would be shortlived, as it would be Bubjeoted, of coorse, to the squeezing procesß at 1 present in operation t-nd certain

sooner or later to be fatal, whilst the Legislature would probably regard such a proposition with little favor. Besides this objection, the new creation could not commence its existence till the end of the year, and divers complications might arise out of it. Notwithstanding all drawbacks, however, there is no doubt whatever' that, crippled or' not, a province of such a kind where all interests throughout its borders were identical would conduce greatly to the welfare of its inhabitants and the development of its staple industries. With regard to the General Government taking the whole of the Gold Fields in charge, such a proposal would unquestionably meet with approbation in the mining centres, and the change would, we doubt not, be beneficial to them, but it the Government did so, the evils complained of would be by no means all remedied. The inefficient County Council, the meddling of the Nelson Provincial Council, their divided authority, and the unnatural boundaries, would still remain, and though the Gold Fields might feel relief, the community, at large would not be equally fortunate. The third course the creation of some special control, exceptional legislation, in fact, to meet circumstances of an exceptional case, would appear the most feasible. Such a policy was shadowed out by the hon. member for the Grey District during the last session, but the Bill he introduced for that purpose was shelved, and suffered the fate of some scores of other innocents of the same kind that nover got beyond a first reading. The substance of the measure in question was to repeal the County of Westlaisd Act altogether, and, as a natural consequence, abolish the County Council, and appoint an officer who should take general management of all the Gold Fields on the Coast, as well as act as the representative of the General Government in the administration of all matters coming under their special jurisdiction, and this authority to extend along the whole coast. As a matter of course, whilst the County Council would come to an end, the Superintendent of Nelson would also be deprived of all power, and in point of fact, " relieved " of a considerable quantity of the present province. In order that local self-government should be more effectually provided, increased powers and subsidies would be given to municipal institutions of all kinds — road boards, borough councils, or what not. At the same time their numbers would be greatly increased, and every district have its own local council, to be responsible for the expenditure of the moneys granted. This course, or some modification of v it, seems to be the best mode of meeting the difficulty, and if the people were only united the Government would support such a measure we feel convinced on its re-intro-duction in Parliament. The subject is too large to be hastily dealt with, but is one that calls for the most earnest consideration of the whole of those located on the Coast, north or south. That a great and radical reformation is needed is generally admitted ; the only question comes in what way can it be effected so as best to forward the welfare of those interested, and at the same time achieve the good governance of one of the most important portions of the Colony. If the people will only agree on any course, the Government and the Legislature generally, we feel confident, wilt" give effect n?aoe7 reason able renneats that, may ho